Removing Christian privilege from “God’s Army”

I made this in the hopes that it can be useful for removing that smug Christian privilege we occasionally see in the military.

Usage:

“You’re so right. There are no atheists in foxholes. There are only good little Muslims.”

It’s not ‘islamophobic’. Rather, it plays off the target’s standard xenophobia. The same xenophobia that causes them to say stupid shit about atheists in the first place. This foxhole atheist proudly serves with brave Christians, Buddhists, Wiccans, and Muslims alike.

The Christian majority in the military breeds a similar interpersonal dynamic to the civilian world. The majority generally keep it to themselves, but tend not to correct the vocal minority who get out of line. That’s where you come in, brothers and sisters.

Here is some extremely relevant copypasta from an earlier post, below the fold:

Your Christian Privilege is showing, sir.

A very high-ranking chaplain once told me that he was all-inclusive because he didn’t say “In Jesus Name” during his invocations. I told him that was his Christian privilege showing, and he was taken aback. I asked him if he’d ever seen any soldiers turn to face towards Mecca. He had not. The chaplain paused, then offered that he wouldn’t stop them. How kind of a concession! Would he wait for them to pull out their smart phones to attempt to face the correct direction? (and is that through the Earth?)

Then I ‘explained’ that perhaps my ‘atheist version of prayer’ is to scream really loud, mostly in swear words. Then the chaplain smiled and said “Oh, I see what you mean.”

All versions of prayer need to be opt-in. I shouldn’t have to stand up and bow my head every time someone retires or gets promoted (I refuse to bow, but I have to stand). Religion has no place in a change of command ceremony, nor a change of responsibility.

Why is it even there? “In Jesus name, you are the commander of 44th BCT!”…? We’re working on it. It’s going to take some time, but we will fix this.

There was an invocation and benediction at a ceremony during my most recent drill, and I was peeking around seeing if anyone else wasn’t bowing their heads. From where I was standing not a one, everyone had their heads bowed. If there’s other atheists, they’re bowing their heads possibly out of politeness, but knowing where I live, it could also very well be that I’m the only nonbeliever around here.

Justin Griffith

There are more out there, I promise you. They may indeed be scared. Don’t bow your head. If you ever get any flak over this, contact me immediately.

It’s probably harder to find them already organized in a NG/Reserve unit. We’re starting to band together on just about every post / base / ship for real community, organization, and activism on the AD side. There are lots of barriers here too, but we will overcome.

Makoto

How hard would it be to make a set? Buddha’s Army, FSM’s Army of Noodles, …? I think your first patch is great for poking at a lot of people these days, but a larger set would be fantastic to have.

Justin Griffith

Yeah I could make a set. I’ll get on it soon. Glad you liked it. Spread it / steal it / whatever.

Josh

I’ve had a problem with this for a log time. I agree that like many other examples in society, that religion is slid in to places where it is completely irrelevant. Like the guy who is somehow able to insert Jesus in to every conversation. At prayer or two mixed in to every single military ceremony is just awkward even to Christians. It’s out of place. Speech, another speech, Salute the flag, prayer, ceremony, speech, prayer, food. At what point did so done decide this was necessary and relevant? How can we as “middle management” in the Army make a change? Will it ever happen? We saw the stink that rose when we tried to take prayer out of schools. Atheists persecuting and attacking Christianity. On the one hand I think that it’s such a small issue and I don’t really mind all that much. On the other hand, if the roles were reversed, Christians would be throwing an epic fit. How do we convince our society at large that seperating religion from secular events is not persecution, it’s simply keeping things relevant to what is going on?

http://florilegia.wordpress.com Ibis3, member of the Oppressed Sisterhood fanclub

Justin has the right idea. Start praying to other gods* and they’ll drop the hot potato quickly enough.

*try the Wiccans’ Goddess or some other Pagan deity if you don’t want to exploit the xenophobia

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